JOAN COLLINS UNSCRIPTED 2019

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I recently featured a rare promo magazine cover for the mini series "Sins", the epic drama that Joan produced in 1986. I will be featuring "Sins", in a future post, but as the cover proved popular with readers, here is another promo ad that was used to promote the show on CBS television in February of 1986.

In the 80's the ABC network screened a one hour special every fall to herald a new season. It gathered together all the stars of it's hit TV shows on one set to preview the new and returning shows. This promo ad was for the 1986 season and as well as featuring Joan, also included on it are Linda Evans, John Forsythe, John James, Robert Wagner, Robert Urich, Connie Selleca, James Brolin, Judith Light, Marie Osmond, Ben Vereen, Bruce Willis, Cybill Shepherd, Tony Danza, Brian Keith, and others! On the show, Bruce Willis who was starring in "Moonlighting", sings his own version of "The Love Boat" theme. Ben Vereen dances to "This Joint Is Jumping", Joan vamps it up with The Captain, (Love Boat's) Gavin Macleod. Marie Osmond, Emmanuel Lewis and "The Love Boat" mermaids preform a song and dance number! Also on the show was Gary Coleman, Eli Wallach, and Emma Samms. Great to see so many stars on one show, only in the 80's!

This issue of the Sunday Express magazine, features Joan on the cover from "Dynasty The Reunion" which was to screened at that time. Inside had a spread featuring Joan at home in Hollywood! The magazine was published on September 15th 1991.

When Joan finished on "Dynasty", she was offered many different projects, one of which was a movie to called "Getting Away With Murder" to be produced by 21st Century Film Corporation. I cant recall if any other casting was announced, but the only evidence of the film is the advance poster, which is shown. It features one of my favorite photo's of Joan by Gary Bernstein, that was taken for her novel "Prime Time".

In the 90's, Franklin Mint distributed a line of beauty products bearing Joan's name and tied to her book "My Secrets".The packaging features a fabulous photo that was used on the USA cover of the book retitled "Health Youth & Happiness". Apart from a moisturizer, there was also a line of massage oil and massager. This photo shows these products and the fabulous packaging. Will feature an ad for the moisturizer in a future post. I think this line is now discontinued.

Monday, March 29, 2010

As Joan will be attending a screening of the 1958 film "Rally Round The Flag Boys", I thought I would share this print ad from 1958, which heralds the release of the film. I am looking forward to attending this event and the conversation with Joan that follows the screening. Will of course post photo's when I get back!
The screening is at 18.20 on the 17th April, followed by "In Conversation" at 20.20 at the BFI Southbank London

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Over the years Joan has appeared on many book covers, not always her own! This current publication, released in February and issued by Little Brown features an elegant portrait of Joan with her poodle from the fifties. The book by Judith Watt features portraits of stars with their dogs that have been used on the pages of Vogue. Other stars included are, Britt Ekland , Cindy Crawford , Lady Diana Cooper, The Mitford Sisters, Elizabeth Arden, Andy Warhol and Tom Ford.

Although not quite a Legendary lady! A legend nonetheless was the late Hollywood agent, Irving Paul Lazar aka "Swifty" who was born today in NY in 1907. Swifty Lazar as he is known but not to his friends as he apparently hated the name, which he got from Humphrey Bogart as Irving made three deals in one day for him. As well as Bogart, he also represented Legends, Lauren Bacall, Cher, Noel Coward, Cary Grant, Gene Kelly, Madonna and of course Joan! During her Random House case, one of the most vital ingredient in her victory was the clause in her book contract that stated they pay Joan, no matter if they liked the manuscript or not, providing she submitted a complete work. ( Or words to that effect). Lazar died in 1993 aged 86, from complications arising from diabetes. A true Hollywood player. Happy Birthday Irving!!

Joan as we all know, has many string to her bow! Not only is she an accomplished actress, a best selling author and a mother, she also produces some of her own projects. One of her most memorable productions has been the epic mini series from 1986 "Sins". This star studded and glamorous series running over six hours was produced by Joan and her then husband "The Swede" as she now calls him, Peter Holm. I wont go into too much detail on "Sins", as I will be featuring it in a future post. I wanted to share this rare promo flyer, which is a mock cover for "COUTURE" magazine, this was the name of the magazine that Joan's character Helene Junot, ran in the series. This flyer advertised the screening of the series on CBS Television in February of 1986.

Over the year's I have gotten many signed photo's from Joan and as a regular thread will post some of them. This photo is from the early 2000's ... not sure of exact dates. No matter the year or the photo.. we are always guaranteed a most glamorous pose!

As "Dynasty" is back on TV screens, with screenings on CBS Drama and on DVD, here is a promo ad for a repeat screening of the series on the USA channel KTTV 11 which is a Fox channel in Los Angeles. I will feature various promo's for "Dynasty", in future posts.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

In March 2002, I had the pleasure of attending a special luncheon in honour of Joan, hosted by Foyles bookshop London. This event was held at Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. It was to celebrate the launch of Joan's novel "Star Quality" and sharing the bill was The Rt Hon. Lord Dennis Healey , whose book "Healey's World" was also published. Following a champagne VIP reception, there was a 4 course lunch followed by speeches from Joan and Lord Healey and then a book signing. It was a great afternoon as you can see from these exclusive private photo's. I will be featuring "Star Quality" in a future post. Included in the photo's are Stella Wilson, Joan's PR. Ned Ryan, Theo Fennell and Frederick Forsyth.
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Friday, March 26, 2010

Today in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan another Legend was born, Miss Diana Ross. One of the biggest recording artists in the world Diana is also an Oscar nominated actress for her performance in the 1972 film "Lady Sings The Blues", she did not win an Oscar for her role as Billie Holiday, but she did win a Golden Globe. Diana still tours the world with her vast songbook of hits and she will start a new USA tour soon. Happy Birthday Diana!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

This month in 1996, Joan was promoting her novel "INFAMOUS" in the USA. The book was first published in the UK as "Too Damn Famous", but the word "Damn" is considered unacceptable in some states, thus the name change. Joan attended this signing at "Barnes & Noble" 5th Ave. Will feature this book in a later post.

One of most popular womens magazines in the UK for many years is Woman's Own and Joan has graced the covers many times since it's first issue in 1932! This issue was published May 8th 1982 and Joan was featured in an interview to promote her book "Katy - A Fight For Life". This book was an account of Joan's vigil at the bedside of daughter Katy, who sustained serious head injuries when she was struck by a car in Ascot. I will feature the book in it's own post at a later date. The cover shot was one used to promote Joan in "Dynasty" as she had just started in the show. She took the role as it would be warm in California, which would help Katy recover. I will feature many more "Womans Own" cover in the future.

Joan brought style & glamour to Beverly Blvd yesterday when she hosted an exclusive showing of Angela Tassoni Jewelry at Lloyd Klein's Beverly Blvd Store. Guests including Natalie Cole, Barbara Davis and Nikki Haskell. Whilst enjoying the collection of jewelry by New York based Angela, they were treated to Champagne & Caviar. A great afternoon was had by all the Invited guests.